The game doesn't count, which is good news for the Giants. But a 20-10 loss to the Carolina Panthers showed much that the team needs to work on. The offense didn't score a touchdown, the defense allowed too many big plays and the special teams struggled throughout.

Here were the in-game updates:

FIRST QUARTER

11:55 -- The Giants' defense looked sharp in the first two defensive drives. The first one ended with a Michael Boley pick-six, which came on a nice pass rush by Jason Pierre-Paul. DeAngelo Williams did not run a good route, so that contributed to the play, but Boley had a good read.

The Giants returned to the field and it was more of the same, particularly with the Pierre-Paul. He recorded a sack on third down, showing speed around the edge.

Jerrel Jernigan did not distinguish himself on the punt return.

8:42 -- On the Giants' first offensive drive, William Beatty did not look particularly strong on the pass. Hakeem Nicks looks as good as usual. Mario Manningham made a nice block on an a big gain by Ahmad Bradshaw. Jake Ballard showed his hands on a catch.

7:47 -- A poor drive by the Giants' defense. Three plays, 54 yards. Tyler Sash couldn't defend Greg Olsen on the touchdown pass, and the Giants has trouble containing DeAngelo Williams. He found his way through the middle of the defensive line, which reflects poorly on the tackles.

3:59 -- The Giants' offense had a poor drive on a three-and-out, with the Panthers' pass rush hurting the Giants. David Baas allowed a rush through the middle on second down, forcing the Giants into a third-and-long.

On defense, the Giants' tackling looked poor, but they did force the Panthers to punt. (They were aided by a false start on the Panthers). Jernigan again did little on a punt return.

0:34 -- This much we know: Jason Pierre-Paul is really, really good. He's so athletic around the edge, recording his second sack of the first quarter and proving to be a force around the left edge.

Offense still appears rusty. Hakeem Nicks can be outstanding, and Manning continues to look in his direction.

The punt coverage, though, does not look good. Carolina had two strong returns.

GIANTS 7, PANTHERS 7

SECOND QUARTER

10:48 -- Well, Cam Newton looks good. The No. 1 overall pick showed a strong arm and good poise on the first drive, albeit against the Giants' second-team defense. Backup cornerbacks Brian Witherspoon and Michael Coe made a pair of nice plays. Tyler Sash is having a difficult time with Greg Olsen thus far. The Panthers converted a field goal.

3:52 -- Brandon Jacobs looked good for the Giants, although the team has played poorly on third downs. Lawrence Tynes missed his second field goal of the night, the latest from 37 yards.

- Victor Cruz dropped a pass. Not the same first preseason game that he had last year, at least thus far.

- Tyler Sash forced and recovered a fumble.

0:56 -- Lawrence Tynes finally connected on a field goal, this time from 38 yards. It culminated a a nine-play, 48-yard drive. Hixon recorded two catches in his first game since the 2009 season. D.J. Ware showed good moves extending a third down play to get into field goal range.

0:11 -- Cam Newton drove the Panthers downfield for a field goal. He couldn't punch the ball into the end zone, but Newton did a good job against the Giants' defense. Credit Tracy for applying pressure on third down, when the linebacker played with his hand down.

PANTHERS 13, GIANTS 10

THIRD QUARTER

10:12 -- On the first drive of the second half, the Giants finally had third-down conversions. Both Cruz and Hixon caught passes from Rosenfels on third downs, but the drive halted before the Giants reached midfield. Andre Brown made a horse-collar tackle on the punt, granting the Panthers 15 yards.

5:27 -- The teams traded drives with little excitement. Marvin Austin made a tackle on defense, which is noteworthy because he's back playing football. Devin Thomas was the intended target on three consecutive passes, and caught two of them. And Steve Weatherford let off another big punt.

0:10 -- Sage Rosenfels continues to play a strong game. He seems to have the leg up on the backup quarterback competition, even with a higher salary than David Carr. Devin Thomas continues to be one of Rosenfels' top targets.

Also, Austin showed good pursuit on a screen. He's shown himself in the second half.

PANTHERS 13, GIANTS 10

FOURTH QUARTER

11:12 -- After a three-and-out by the Panthers, the Giants drove down to Carolina's territory with the help of a pass interference. But the drive was for naught, and it could be costly. Tynes' field goal was blocked, and he appeared injured on the play. Tynes is now 1 for 4 on the night.

7:23 -- Derek Anderson just picked apart the Giants' defense, with the highlight a 33-yard touchdown off a screen pass to Kealoha Pilares. No one looked good on the drive, as the Panthers took a 20-10 lead.